Photoenhanced homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of olefins following XeCl excimer laser excitation of RhH(CO)PPh3)3

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(89)85062-X

XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) irradiation of RhH(CO) PPh₃)₃ accelerates the homogeneous hydrogenation of olefins under mild conditions. Significantly enhanced dark reactions were observed after periods of laser irradiation. These demonstrate the generation of a highly active catalytic species. Furthermore, the apparent quantum yield of the reaction has been estimated to be larger than unity (2.4) under appropriate conditions. XeCL excimer laser-induced acceleration of homogeneous hydrogenation with other catalysts, RhCl(PPh₃)₃ as well as IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ was also observed.